Energy FC Kicks Off USL Season Against Switchbacks FC

OKC Energy kicks off the regular season at home this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. hosting Colorado Springs Switchbacks.

Energy FC beat Switchbacks in spectacular fashion in the first round of last year’s USL playoffs. After being tied in regulation both teams scored in extra time and with a semifinals berth on the line the match came down to a penalty shootout. Former Energy FC goalkeeper Evan Newton made two saves in the shootout to clinch the victory.

Fourteen players return from 2015’s Western Conference runner-up and seven newcomers will debut in Energy FC’s third season.

OKC played three preseason matches at IMG Academy in Florida and went 2-1. The team also played a pair of friendlies with MLS affiliate FC Dallas and tied St. Louis FC and the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the final two preseason contests.

“You reach that stage in the preseason where you need to play for some points,” said head coach Jimmy Nielsen. “I have the feeling we’re there right now. They guys are obviously very excited, I’m very excited, the fans are very excited, the organization is very excited and we’re really ready to get out there now.”

Colorado Springs has had an excellent preseason going 6-0 with wins against Air Force Academy, Real Colorado, Colorado State-Pueblo, Colorado University of Mines, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and USL-PDL side Ventura County Fusion.